Ideal Size for Outside Centre?

Question

Hi all

I played American football in college as a linebacker, but now have gone back to my original sport of rugby. However, during college, for football, I put on a lot of muscle weight, and now am playing outside centre at 230 lbs (16 st 6 lb). Also, I am 6' tall. I still am as fast as all other centres and near the speed of some wings, but I am wondering that with my size, I might be able to contribute more playing a different position. But I do enjoy running over those small backs.

Any idea on what spot would fit me best? I do play at a high level right now, but am looking to be able to play regionally for the midwest team.

Answer 1

I play rugby in newzealand and your size makes you an average sized outside centre.  Just from your description of yourself you seem to be well placed, the other options going by what you are saying that could benefit you and your team is maybe as a loose forward (open / blindside flanker or No. 8).  Your weight is a decent weight for a loose forward, however, in the modern game depending on team dynamic you might be a little short for No 8.  But if you enjoy a contact filled running game, then loose forward could be just what you are looking for.

Answer 2

Outside centres come in all sizes, and you aren't too big or small. The focus at centre is less with size or speed, than with skill and technique. Centres have to, not just run over smaller players, but beat all players one on one, create gaps and scoring opportunities for wings and be able to defend. If you are effective in your team, don't look for change just because of size.

Answer 3

Have you considered playing prop?  With your size you'd be able to do it.  And if you think that your speed would be wasted in the front row, consider that at the highest levels of the sport, the props are actually quite fast.  Who knows who high you could go if you moved up front?

Answer 4

I would say the biggest deciding factor for you would probably be your ball handling skills. If you can pass and catch well then I'd say stay at your outside center spot, you probably wont see too many players a lot bigger than you at your opposite number. If ball handling is an issue than you might think about flank, it'd be more up your ally as a linebacker and they only real skills you'd have to learn would be your line-outs and effing with the ball at the breakdown. Good luck man, ruck on

Answer 5

I was born and raised in New Zealand and recently moved to Canada.  One thing I noticed since I moved here is the slight variations in the game.  One that stood out to me was in the centres.  

I noticed that in the Southern hemisphere, we tend to have a bigger stronger Outside Centre with a smaller, skillful Inside Centre.  If you look at some of the great combinations of Australia's Tim Horan and Jason Little and NZ's Walter Little and Frank Bunce as examples.  Up here, the tendency is to use a bigger Inside Centre and a faster Outside Centre.  I guess this is to use the IC to create holes/space for the OC to go through, whereas we prefer to move the point of attack wider on the field and play more expansive.

I definately prefer the SH style of play which seems to be what your coach is doing.  I suspect your question comes from the fact that you seem to be miles away from the action a lot when, as a linebacker, you are around the ball constantly when you are on the field.

As you progress in Rugby, the ball finds it's way out wide a lot more so you will see more action as you get older but if the weather is bad, there is also a chance you won't touch the ball!  I have played EVERY position and my personality type has led me to the forwards... I like to do all the work and let the parasites in the backs feed off it.  With your size and speed, I'd think you would make a good loose forward.  Blindside, Openside, 8 man.... any one would have you around the ball constantly and you will often find yourself in the backline so that experience in the centres would be very handy.

They have some similarities to a centre in that you are probably the first man to a ruck during a backline play, and this is whats expected of a loose forward.  Your fitness will have to be EXTREMELY high to play loose forward though.  It is a constant sprint for 80 minutes seemingly, unlike in the backs where your runs come in bursts.

If you did switch to the forwards, there is a standing rule that you have to get a haircut and you cant use hair gel and other fruity bathroom products like the backs do.